Media

Don Lemon’s ratings-challenged ‘CNN This Morning’ gets shakeup

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Social Links for Alexandra Steigrad
Published March 13, 2023
Updated March 13, 2023, 10:31 p.m. ET

CNN tapped two veteran executive producers on Monday to oversee Don Lemon’s ratings-challenged and controversy-marred “CNN This Morning.”

Longtime CNN producer Lauren Mensch and Chris Russell, who recently was the executive producer for NewsNation’s “On Balance with Leland Vittert,” will grab the reins from Eric Hall, according to the cable news network.

The moves come amid a flurry of bad publicity for Lemon.

The host infamously put his foot in his mouth last month by claiming GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley was not “in her prime,” which not only upset co-anchors Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collin but ignited a firestorm of criticism that led to Lemon publicly apologizing and being sent to “formal training.”

His tone-deaf remark was ridiculed Sunday by Michelle Yeoh in her acceptance speech after the 60-year-old Malaysian star won the Oscar for Best Actress.

“This is proof that dreams, dream big, and dreams do come true. And ladies, don’t let anybody tell you you’re ever past your prime,” said Yeoh in an apparent jab at Lemon.

Lemon also reportedly had an off-air blow-up with Collins and has made several on-air gaffes since the revamped show was launched last November.

Don Lemon at the anchor desk with Poppy Harlow & Kaitlan Collins.
CNN hired two new executive producers to run the ratings-challenged “CNN This Morning.” CNN
Kaitlan Collins, Don Lemon, and Poppy Harlow attend the 16th annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at the American Museum of Natural History on December 11, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for CNN)
Co-anchors Kaitlan Collins, Don Lemon and Poppy Harlow have had a volatile few months anchoring the ratings-challenged “CNN This Morning.” Getty Images for CNN

The new producers bring plenty of experience to try to right the sinking ship. Mensch was most recently executive producer of “CNN Newsroom” with Alisyn Camerota and Victor Blackwell.

She will lead the show’s editorial direction and lead the team in the control room during the 6-9 a.m. hours.

Russell, who previously worked with CNN CEO Chris Licht at CBS News, will lead production during the dayside and evening hours to set the show up for the following morning.

They will report to Ryan Kadro, senior vice president of content strategy.

Lauren Mensch Rozbruch in 2015. Executive Producers Mensch Rozbruch and Christopher Russell will try and rejuvenate its CNN This Morning program, which is anchored by Don Lemon, Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow.
CNN veteran Lauren Mensch will try to rejuvenate “CNN This Morning,” alongside Chris Russell. Monika Krznar/PatrickMcMullan.com
Executive Producer Chris Russell in an undated LInkedin photo. Russell and Lauren Mensch Rozbruch will try and rejuvenate its CNN This Morning program, which is anchored by Don Lemon, Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow.
Chris Russell decamped from NewsNation to join CNN, where he will be reunited with his old boss, Chris Licht, who is working to remake the cable news network. Linkedin/Christopher Russell

Hall was abruptly reassigned in late January from his “CNN This Morning” gig and moved to a new role at the 11 p.m. hour of “CNN Tonight” amid the Lemon-induced flare-ups and low ratings.

Last month, “CNN This Morning” reeled in 360,000 average total viewers and 73,000 viewers in the all-important 25-to-54-year-old demographic.

By comparison, Fox News’ “Fox & Friends” averaged 1.2 million total viewers and 170,000 average demo viewers for the month.

MNSBC’s “Morning Joe” nabbed 895,000 total viewers and 107,000 demo viewers.